Suspension system for linearly moving the lifting stage of the mold in a continuous casting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting process mold relative to a fixed structure, an elongated double lever having first and second ends, a pivot for supporting the lever intermediate the first and second ends, a first plate pivotally secured to the second end of the lever and to the lifting state, a plurality of articulated plates, one end of each of which being pivotally secured to the lifting stage, the other end of each of which being pivotally secured to the fixed structure, and drive means pivotally secured to the first end of the lever whereby the lever is arranged to move angularly relative to the pivot and the suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of the lemniscate curve.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Otto Neumann;

Herbert Jenna, both of Monchengladbach, Germany [21] Appl. No. 783,045

[22] Filed Dec. 11, 1968 [4S] Patented June 1, 1971 73] Assignee Mannesmann-Meer A.G.

Monchengladbach, Germany [3 2] Priority Dec. 28, 1967 [33] Germany [54] SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR LINEARLY MOVING THE LlFllNG STAGE OF THE MOLD IN A CONTINUOUS CASTING APPARATUS 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs. 7 [52] US. Cl 164/260, 164/83, 74/103, 74/105 [51] lnt.Cl ..B22dll/00, F16h 21/44 [50] Field of Search 164/82, 83, 260, 273; 74/103, 105

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,118,195 1/l964 Gouzou et al.....; 164/83 3,148,420 9/1964 Hess 164/260 3,245,126 4/1966 Phillips et al. 164/83X 3,395,751 8/1968 Hess 164/260 OTHER REFERENCES Machine Design, Vol. 22, January 1950. TH. Ml6. Pp. 90- 92 Product Engineering, V01. 30, No. 42, October 12, 1959. TJI. P93. Pp. 86-87.

Primary ExaminerR. Spencer Annear Att0rneyErnest F. Marmorek ABSTRACT: A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting process mold relative to a fixed structure, an elongated double lever having first and second ends, a pivot for supporting the lever intermediate the first and second ends, a first plate pivotally secured to the second end of the lever and to the lifting state, a plurality of articulated plates, one end of each of which being pivotally secured to the lifting stage, the other end of each of which being pivotally secured to the fixed structure, and drive means pivotally secured to the first end of the lever whereby the lever is arranged to move angularly relative to the pivot and the suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of the lemniscate curve.

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SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR LINEARLY MOVING THE LIFTING STAGE OF THE MOLD IN A CONTINUOUS CASTING APPARATUS This invention relates generally to suspension structure for continuous casting, and relates more particularly to an improved suspension system for the lifting stage that houses the mold used in a continuous casting process.

During continuous casting processes .it is known to house the mold in a lifting stage. The lifting stage, through a suitable device, moves in up and down directions in order to prevent the liquid metal, which has solidified in the boundary zone, from sticking to the wall of the mold, due to cooling of the mold. Reference is had to the article The Continuous Casting i of Steel" by L. V. Gallagher et al. in the Dee, 1963 issue of the Scientific American".

There have been attempts to prevent tilting motions of the lifting stageand of the mold during their movement in axial directions. For this purpose, different guiding or suspension devices for the lifting stage have been made public which, in

part, were expensive and, in part, did not carry out their guiding task in quite a precise manner and which caused difficulties during the withdrawal of the casting.

A precise linear alignment of the lifting stage is important during the time the lifting stage moves back and forth, whereby wearing phenomena in the linear alignment devices and the effects of the bearing play contribute to an essential degree in permitting deviations from the linear alignment. Reference is had to German published Pat. applications Nos. DAS 1,162,036; l,ll,354; and 1,235,516.

Although it has been alleged with respect to another form of construction'that sudden tiltings of the iron mold stage cannot occur when the lifting stage is moved by means of levers at the lateral extremities, it should be pointed out nevertheless that, through the curved movement of the lever which is equalized by the bearing play, no guarantee for the precise axial movement is given, Reference is had to the German published Pat. application No. DAS 1,176,800,

Since especially during the production of hollow castings strict requirements with respect to a linear movement of the mold need to be made in order not to interfere with the continuous flow, it is among the principal objects of the present invention to set the lifting stage which houses the mold into axial oscillations which do not permit any deviation from the linear motion.

In accordance with the present invention, a suspension of the lifting stage is provided in such a manner that the lifting stage is guided, through a guiding system, which generates a so-called lemniscate curve or figure-eight curve. The lifting stage movements are derived from the almost straight portions of the lemniscate curve.

A further aspect of the present invention is the arrangement of the points of rotation or pivots in prestressed roller bearings that are used for the purpose of eliminating any form of bearing play. The construction of the present invention assures that the mold moves back and forth without deviating from the required linear motion.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, ofa modified embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawing, the fishplate or plate-type construction illustrated in FIG. 1 provides for the suspension of the lifting stage 1 for the mold (not shown) on a total of eight pivots such as pins 2 four each at the upper portion and four each at the lower portion, with the pins 2 disposed opposite each other in each case, whereby the guiding linkage system is formed by the fishplates or plates 3 and 4.

One end portion of the fishplates or plates 4 is connected, in each case, to the fishplates or plates 3 by means of pins 5. At the other end portions of fishplates 3 are mounted in a pivotable manner in bearings 7 by means of pins 6; the bearings 7 are mounted on the framework of the casting machine.

The action is started by means of a crank 8 via a connecting or driving rod 9 which in turn is connected to one end of a double lever 11 by means of a pin 10. The double lever 11 is mounted in a pivotable manner in a bearing 12.

With its other end, the double lever ll, while encircling the lifting stage I at two opposite sides in a bifurcated manner, is connected with fishplates or plates 14 by means of pins 13; the fishplates 14 are connected with their other ends to the pins 2 in a pivotable manner.

FIG. 1 depicts the emerging hollow casting at 15.

The second possibility of a guiding device construction is shown in FlGS. 3 and 4 with the guiding device creating the same effect as the one discussed before. There is a lifting stage 1 with a total of eight bearing members 16 with pins 17, with four bearing members each being provided for in the upper portion and four each in the lower portion, to which are affixed the guiding systems, which consist of fishplates or plates 18 and 19.

The fishplates or plates 19, are hinged at one end to the fishplates 18 by means of pins 20 and are hinged at the other end to bearing 22 by means of pin 21, with the bearings 22 being mounted on the framework of the casting setup.

As was the case in first form of construction, the following are provided for the starting of the action, namely a crank 8 and a connecting or driving rod 9 which is connected by means of pins 10 to a double lever 11, that is arranged in a pivotable manner in the bearing 12. Via a fishplate or plate 23, which by means of a pin 24 is hinged to the double lever 11, the forces are transmitted to the two pins 25 at the lifting stage 1.

Through the utilization of the known lemniscate action, and by using a guiding system as described and illustrated here by way of example for the purpose of moving a lifting stage and casting of hollow castings, there is provided that, as far as the lifting stage and the mold are concerned (and considering the necessary dimensional magnitudes and necessary lifting strokes), a deviation from the linear movement of the guided suspension point has been obtained in values no longer measurable. Thus a deviation has been obtained which practically equals zero.

Since the play which occurs in the bearings has also been eliminated through prestressed roller bearings, no influence of any kind is possible from this source, so that no obstacles now oppose the continuous flow of the casting process, above all during the manufacturing of hollow castings, thereby avoiding the hazard of any sudden tiltings of the mold.

We claim:

1. A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite direction, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means for supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of an elongated central member, and two elongated plate members, said central member being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means, the ends of said central members being pivotally coupled to one of the ends of each of said elongated plate members, the opposite ends of each of said plate members being pivotally secured to the fixed structure, further including bearing means journaling said opposite ends of said plate members in the fixed structure wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

2. A suspension system, as claimed in claim 1,

said drive means including a an elongated lever having first and second ends;

b. pivot means for supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends;

. first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and

means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever whereby said lever is arranged to move angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve.

3. The suspension system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said second end of said lever is bifurcated.

4. The suspension system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of an elongated central member, and two elongated plate members, said central member being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means, the ends of said central members being pivotally coupled to one of the ends of each of said plate members, the opposite ends of each of said plate members being pivotally secured to the fixed structure.

5. The suspension system in accordance with claim 4 wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally space about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axes of said elongated lever, only the upper for of said articulated plate means being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate meansv 6. The suspension system in accordance with claim 3 further including bearing means journaling said opposite ends of said plate members in the fixed structure.

7. The suspension system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

8. A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage ofa continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move, and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite directions, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means of r supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, further including bearing means journaling said opposite end of said plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of a first elon gated plate member having one end pivotally secured to the lifting stage, a second elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to the opposite end of said first plate member and the other of its ends pivotally secured to the fixed structure and a third elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to said first plate member intermediate the ends thereof, the other end of said third plate member being pivotally secured to the fixed structure in spaced relationship with said other end of said second plate member,

wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

9. The suspension system in accordance with claim 8 wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, the remaining four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever.

10. The suspension system in accordance with claim 8 further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed. 

1. A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite direction, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means for supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of an elongated central member, and two elongated plate members, said central member being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means, the ends of said central members being pivotally coupled to one of the ends of each of said elongated plate members, the opposite ends of each of said plate members being pivotally secured to the fixed structure, further including bearing means journaling said opposite ends of said plate members in the fixed structure wherein said bearing means are prestressed.
 2. A suspension system, as claimed in claim 1, said drive means including a. an elongated lever having first and second ends; b. pivot means for supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; c. first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and d. means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever whereby said lever is arranged to move angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve.
 3. The suspension system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said second end of said lever is bifurcated.
 4. The suspension system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of an elongated central member, and two elongated plate members, said central member being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means, the ends of said central members being pivotally coupled to one of the ends of each of said plate members, the opposite ends of each of said plate members being pivotally secured to the fixed structure.
 5. The suspension system in accordance with claim 4 wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally space about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axes of said elongated lever, only the upper for of said articulated plate means being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means.
 6. The suspension system in accordance with claim 3 further including bearing means journaling said opposite ends of said plate members in the fixed structure.
 7. The suspension system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said bearing means are prestressed.
 8. A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move, and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite directions, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means of r supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, further including bearing means journaling said opposite end of said plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of a first elongated plate member having one end pivotally secured to the lifting stage, a second elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to the opposite end of said first plate member and the other of its ends pivotally secured to the fixed structure and a third elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to said first plate member intermediate the ends thereof, the other end of said third plate member being pivotally secured to the fixed structure in spaced relationship with said other end of said second plate member, wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed.
 9. The suspension system in accordance with claim 8 wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, the remaining four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever.
 10. The suspension system in accordance with claim 8 further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed. 